For Jefferson, changed form equals changed results

Over the summer, the Spurs worked to change Richard Jefferson’s head. They also changed his bank account.

When they asked to change something even more sacred — his jump shot — Jefferson was ready to draw a line in the sand.

He had shot the same way for nine NBA seasons, same grip, same release. It had worked out well for him.

Spurs coaches, like counselors at some youth basketball camp, wanted to tinker with all that.

“It was tough, but I bought in,” said Jefferson, who took an immediate pay cut to return to the Spurs in July. “I trusted the coaches, and wanted to do what they needed me to do.”

The changes, under the watchful eye of coach Gregg Popovich, shooting coach Chip Engelland and player development coach Chad Forcier, were subtle.

Jefferson shifted his release from above his head to out in front. He now begins his shot from a deeper crouch, his knees bent and permanently prepared to fire.

The results have been self-evident.

Barring a complete tailspin over the final 18 games, Jefferson is set to produce — at age 30 — the best 3-point season of his career. He is shooting 43.8 percent (106 of 242) from beyond the arc, four points better than his previous high of 39.7 percent set in 2008-09 with Milwaukee.

Heading into tonight’s game against Sacramento, Jefferson ranks sixth in the NBA in 3-point accuracy.

It has been an astonishing evolution for Jefferson, from high-flying dunker to earthbound marksman. For that, Popovich credits Jefferson’s trip to summer school.

“Most players aren’t too interested in having a coach change this, that or the other about them,” Popovich said. “He was unemotional and selfless in that regard. He didn’t worry about what somebody might think.”

Though Jefferson is averaging 11.4 points — nearly a point less than last season — he has been more efficient in his work.

His career-high 3-point percentage has come in 53 more tries than last season, when he was 59 for 187. Since the All-Star break, Jefferson has hit 11 of 20 3-pointers, or 55 percent.

Jefferson’s new shooting form wouldn’t have done much good without a change in other habits. He’d built his career as an athletic slasher who would score off the dribble or finish at the rim.

The Spurs, however, already have Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker for that. In Popovich’s offense, Jefferson is expected to fill the same role as his predecessor at small forward, Bruce Bowen.

Stand in the corner. Wait for the ball. Shoot if you’re open.

“We wanted him to make quick decisions,” Popovich said. “Either let it fly or drive it, but make a decision. Holding the ball was a no-no.”

It took Jefferson a full, frustrating season to figure that out.

“I just hadn’t played that way before, sit in the corner and chuck up threes,” Jefferson said.

Parker has some idea what Jefferson went through during his summertime makeover. Several seasons ago, Engelland went to work reforming Parker’s jumper as well.

“It starts in your head,” Parker said. “You have to start believing. Then you can start working on your technique.”

For Jefferson, the first month of the season provided a critical injection of belief.

He made 28 of his first 66 3-pointers and averaged 15 points in October and November.

The highlight came in a Nov. 3 victory in Phoenix, where Jefferson scored a Spurs-era high 28 points and made 4 of 5 3-point attempts.

“Early on in the season, to get some success and get some momentum going, I think that was key,” Jefferson said. “It helped me get confidence, and it’s carried over through the season.”

Once, Jefferson might have argued with the need to change his shot. Now, there’s no arguing with the results.